There's action all over Cerca Country even in August, from cool evenings of Utah outdoor theater to Burning Man, the counterculture community and effigy immolation in the Northern Nevada desert.

Through Aug. 6, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Old Miners' Days. This year's theme is Gold 'N' Romance, celebrating women who played an important part in Big Bear's history. Square dancing, horseshoes and a grand finale parade. Various venues around town. Parade takes place Sunday along Summit and Big Bear Boulevards (909) 866-4607, www.bigbear.com.

Through Aug. 6, Reno and Sparks: Hot August Nights. Experience the '50s and '60s when thousands of classic cars descend on Reno and Sparks for street cruising, poker runs, car auctions, parades, drag races and vintage music. More than 700,000 people are expected to attend this event (775) 356-1956, www.hotaugustnights.net.

Through Aug. 12, Cedar City, Utah: The Utah Neil Simon Festival. This years festival showcases "God's Favorite," "I Ought to be in Pictures" and "The Good Doctor." Matinee and evening performances. Cedar City Heritage Theater, (435) 327-8673, www.simonfest.org.

Through Sept. 2, Cedar City, Utah: Utah Shakespearean Festival. Plays this season are "Hamlet," "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Antony and Cleopatra," "On Golden Pond," "Room Service," and "H.M.S. Pinafore." The festival also offers backstage tours, a nightly greenshow, seminars and play orientations (800) 752-9849, www.bard.org.

Through Sept. 2, Ivins, Utah: Live Outdoors at the Tuacahn Ampitheatre. "Grease" runs through this week on Mon., Thurs., Fri. and Sat., "Peter Pan" on Mon., Wed. and Fri. through Sept. 1 and "South Pacific" on Tues., Thurs. and Sat. through Sept. 2 (800) 746-9882, www.tuacahn.com.

Aug. 6, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Dog Days Star Fest. This evening event will feature numerous viewing options throughout the Lowell Observatory campus. Indoor exhibits and presentations (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

Aug. 6-7, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: Full Moon Hike. Enjoy the moonlight with a ranger-led hike among the hoodoos. Reservations required, can be made on morning of hike only. No children under 5. Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, www.nps.gov/brca.

Aug. 10, Zion National Park, Utah: Thursday Trek. Join a naturalist for an indoor presentation and then an interpretive hike to learn about geology, flora, fauna and cultural history. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

Aug. 11, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah: The Geology of Cedar Breaks. Enjoy the cool weather on the Markagunt Plateau while learning about the unique and complicated geology of the area. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

Aug. 11, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Perseid Meteor Shower. An evening program focusing on the upcoming Perseids. Telescope viewing of various celestial objects. Lowell Observatory, (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

Aug. 12, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Ethnobotany Walk. Join Navajo elder Maybelle Little as she leads a tour showing the medicinal, culinary and ceremonial uses of native plants. The Arboretum at Flagstaff, (928) 774-1442, www.thearb.org.

Aug. 12-13, Reno and Lake Tahoe: Reno-Tahoe Blues Festival features legends such as Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan. Rancho San Rafael Park (775) 857-3378, www.reno tahoebluesfest.com.

Aug. 19, Cathedral Gorge State Park: Buffalo in Nevada? Centuries ago herds of bison roamed eastern Nevada. Learn about these large animals. 8:30 p.m., Campground Amphitheater (775) 728-4460, www.parks.nv.gov/cg.htm.

Aug. 19-20, Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation, Ariz. Strip: Sounds of Thunder Mountain. This heritage celebration includes a Paiute circle dance, singing contest, juried art show, horseshoe tournament, fun run/walk and a fishing contest (928) 643-7245, www.kaibab paiutetribal.com.

Aug. 23-27, Lake Tahoe and Reno: Tahoe/Reno International Film Festival features the screening of rare and diverse films, film workshops, tributes and parties (775) 298-0018, www.t-riff.org.

Aug. 24-27, Battle Mountain: Pony Express 130. The longest open road race in the country, 130 miles. Starts at Mile Marker 116 on State Highway 305 in Battle Mountain and travels 83 miles to Austin, then returns to the rest area at "Pay Phone Ranch" (702) 614-6108, www.openroadracing.com.

Aug. 25-26, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Wild Mushroom Retreat. Spend the weekend hunting for fungus at the Hart Prairie Preserve. Friday evening and all day Saturday. The Arboretum at Flagstaff, (928) 774-1442, www.thearb.org.

Aug. 25-27, Kanab, Utah: Western Legends Roundup and Film Festival. This celebration of the Old West includes cowboy poetry, fiddle contest, tent revival, Dutch oven cook-off, Indian dancing, quilt show and a quick-draw contest. Street fair with art and food, parade and live cowboy music (435) 644-3444, www.western legendsroundup.com.

Aug. 26, Panguitch, Utah: Desperado Dual. A fully supported one-day, 100 or 200 mile, cycling adventure. The route will travel some of the most scenic roads in southern Utah. Limited to the first 500 entries. (435) 559-0895, www.desperadodual.com.

Aug. 26-27, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Native American Arts Festival. This event features fine crafts, song and dance throughout the weekend. Animal tours and Indian tacos and fry bread. Moonridge Animal Park, (909) 584-1171, www.bigbearzoo.com.

Aug. 28-Sept. 4, Black Rock City: Burning Man. This annual event is partly an art festival and partly an experiment in temporary community all dedicated to radical self-expression and self-reliance. This year's theme will be Hope and Fear: The Future www.burningman.com.